Eppley Center Accessibility Work at National Park Sites Continues
In October of 2023, Colleen Durkin-Blackburn and Ross Edelstein of the Eppley Center conducted a multi-day accessibility assessment of Maggie Walker National Historic Site and Richmond National Battlefield in Richmond, Virginia.
In this case, Maggie Walker National Historic Site and Richmond National Battlefield were unique in their stories. Both locations highlighted individuals with disabilities due to war and disability stemming from illness or aging. Interpretive programming and exhibits demonstrated the medical ingenuity and prosthetic devices from the battlefield while Maggie Walker herself modified her personal home to maximize wheelchair access throughout. Both sites represented different eras but carry the common thread of accessibility across generations.
From Richmond National Battlefield; an image of an exhibit display of medical treatment received on the battlefield.
Image of a canon at the Richmond National Battlefield.
Image of Maggie Walker’s personal wheelchair in her sitting room.
Eppley continues to complete accessibility assessments across the nation for the national parks and state agencies. The work is unique in most locations, but there are consistent trends that Eppley’s National Center on Accessibility (NCA) program is finding. The recent assessment work by Eppley staff at both National Park sites yielded some common barrier findings consistent with prior NCA staff work such as lack of accessible parking, lack of proper access to historic buildings, and limited access to trails and exhibits.